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With 47 years of nursing experience, Gloria Fitzgerald was inducted into the 2009 Central San Joaquin Valley Nursing Hall of Fame and honored at an awards ceremony on Sept. 16 at the Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State.

“I hope I’ve made a difference somewhere for someone,” said Fitzgerald, a registered nurse at Community Health Center-Sierra. “Obviously I have.”

Snuggled in her mother’s arms, Avah Ellize Becker was dressed to the nines shortly after she came into the world at 9:09 a.m., on 09/09/09.

Both mom and dad were surprised when they reflected on her “nine-ish” entry, and said when Avah received a 9 and 9 APGAR score they were elated. The APGAR tests are given within one minute and five minutes of birth to gauge the baby’s condition and find out if there are any physical conditions requiring treatment.

After spending just 10 minutes in a home filled with carbon monoxide, two Fresno firefighters were rushed to Community Regional Medical Center’s Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center for treatment.

Community Regional houses the only burn and Level 1 trauma centers within a 15,000-square mile service area – about the size of Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey combined. But it wasn’t just the level of care that made a difference in saving the firefighters’ lives, it was also the Fresno Fire Department’s fundraising efforts.

Community Regional Medical Center publicly debuted its new high-tech medical interpretation system with an Aug. 19 demonstration for members of the California HealthCare Foundation who helped make it possible with a $170,000 grant.